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Global demand for instant noodles continues to rise

Global demand for instant noodles reached 124.21 billion servings last year, representing a 0.7% year-on-year increase – or 900 million extra servings.

The rankings of the top three countries and regions remained unchanged from the previous year.

At a glance:

• Servings of instant noodles increased by 900 million globally in 2025.
• China and Hong Kong dominate, with “high growth” in Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa.
• Climate and geopolitical challenges remain this year as crops struggle and prices rise.

China and Hong Kong ranked first with 43.27 billion servings, followed by Indonesia with 14.54 billion servings, and India with 9.60 billion servings.

Demand in Vietnam totalled 8.23 billion servings in 2025, representing a 1.2% year-on-year increase, while in Japan there were 5.95 billion servings in total, representing a 0.9% year-on-year increase.

Latin America and the Middle East/Africa also recorded “high growth rates”.

Total demand for instant noodles in 2025 grew in all regions except Europe. However, the ready-to-heat “mini meals” category is delivering decent growth for companies like Knorr owner Unilever – especially among younger consumers.

The US trade policy and tensions in the Middle East both had impacts on raw material and product costs last year, according to the World Instant Noodles Association (WINA), which compiles the data every year.

Indeed, Asia posted a decline in export sales due to “geopolitical risks and rising raw material prices”, said WINA in its 2026 update. These trends appear likely to continue into 2026, the association added, which will affect corporate procurement and pricing strategies.

Asia continued to lead growth overall in the instant noodles market – though in China, for example, amid continued deflation, consumers “showed a stronger tendency toward frugality” and “more selective spending”, according to WINA.

Still, cup-type noodles and mid- to high-priced bag-type noodles are expected to regain momentum through various demand-stimulation initiatives, including deeper penetration into regional cities, expansion into new channels such as e-commerce, and new product launches.

One of the highlights of this year’s NPD came in Japan, with Nissin’s launch of two Chilled Cup Noodle varieties - the first in the brand's history designed to be enjoyed after just five minutes in cold water.

In Japan, 2025 was a year of two halves: demand increased 4.1% in the first half but the market fell back 2% in the second six months as consumers became more budget-conscious and “rice price increases moderated following the government’s release of stockpiled rice. As a result, full-year demand posted a modest increase”.

Weathering climate and geopolitical challenges

The instant noodles industry has also been affected by climate change. Damage to crops including wheat and rice have been widespread and rising in severity.

Ludwig Oscuro Federigan, a climate change consultant at the Cooperative College of the Philippines and columnist at The Manila Times, has noted how unpredictable weather can upset the delicate balance of ingredient sourcing.

“Crop failures lead to increased competition for limited ingredients, driving prices up and making it increasingly difficult for manufacturers to offer affordable products to consumers,” he explained.

These climate-related challenges also “raise serious food safety concerns, risking not only product quality but also the well-being of the communities that rely on these foods,” he added.

At last year’s WINA summit, environment undersecretary Analiza Rebuelta-Teh said in her keynote message that “through strategic adaptation, improved agricultural practices, and collaborative efforts, the [instant noodle] industry can work toward a sustainable future that secures food sources and livelihoods”.

She added: “It is imperative to seize this opportunity to unite voices and actions in addressing climate change, ensuring that the industry not only thrives but also stands as a beacon of responsibility amid global challenges.”

Research published this year in the Polish Journal of Food and Nutrition Sciences, led by academics in Indonesia and Malaysia, showed that “instant noodles formulated entirely from climate-resilient crops can enhance nutritional quality and satiety compared to the conventional wheat-based instant noodles, while remaining sensorially acceptable”.

Instant noodles sector sets sustainability targets

In February 2025, at a summit hosted by Philippine company and owner of Lucky Me! and SkyFlakes brands Monde Nissin, the WINA adopted the Manila Declaration.

The statement sets voluntary targets for the industry spanning environmental sustainability, health, food safety and social issues. This included reductions of salt and “other risk-inducing factors” while increasing the use of ingredients and substances “beneficial to health”.

In its 2026 instant noodles market update, published in June, Mordor Intelligence noted how government agencies and households increasingly stockpile instant noodles due to their affordability, high calorific content, and ease of preparation, with rising climate-related disasters further supporting stable long-term demand.

To date, more than 7.7 million servings of instant noodles have been provided around the world to aid victims of natural disasters, according to WINA.

The long shelf life of instant noodles – typically ranging from 12 to 18 months – makes them an important component of emergency food reserves and disaster preparedness programmes.